M&S staff reject Labour Court recommendation

Workers at Marks & Spencer have overwhelmingly rejected a Labour Court recommendation, once again raising the potential for strikes at the retailer.

Members of the Mandate and Siptu trade unions voted 84% to 16% to reject the recommendation which, Mandate said, largely backed plans by M&S management for cost-cutting measures “which would seriously deteriorate the living standards for workers at the company”.

It said that, under the company’s plans, some workers would be expected to take a cut of more than 20% in their terms and conditions of employment.